Even indoor cats can get seriously injured or suddenly have a disease strike them. This is why insurance for your cat(s) is a good idea. About four out of five pets will have an emergency in their lifetimes. So, if an emergency comes up, you won’t have to worry about being strapped for cash. Some plans are more comprehensive than others, click here to learn more about them.
First, you will have to decide what plan is right for you. If your pet is particularly accident prone and has already been diagnosed with a major disease, such as diabetes, a comprehensive plan would be the right one for you. If it’s generally healthy but is prone to accidents, an accident-only plan would be the best way to go. Hereditary plans are available for those that have congenial conditions, such as epilepsy. Last but not least, yearly routine veterinarian care is covered in almost all plans as well.
Considering the rising costs of insurance and everything else, the best thing to do is to get a plan according to what your pet actually needs. Besides, you don’t want to waste your money paying for something that you’re probably not going to end up using. For example, if your pet is very healthy, why pay for a comprehensive plan or a plan that covers hereditary conditions? If your pet doesn’t have either a disease and is not particularly accident-prone, why include that in the insurance? When it comes down to it, pet insurance is a lot like your own medical insurance. If anything changes, you can always request to change or add to the plan later.
Choosing a deductible is probably the most complicated thing about pet insurances. If you choose the high one, it lowers the monthly price but also means that your co-pays will be higher. If you choose the lower deductible, however, it usually means the opposite. It’s always best to choose the one that fits your budget. Also, pet insurance tends to be higher for dogs and larger animals due to the fact that they tend to have the most health issues. Older pets are also covered even if you didn’t see the point of purchasing pet insurance when they were younger.
No matter what plan you choose, though, you want one that will allow you to visit any licensed veterinarian, specialists and emergency clinics after hours.
Some pet insurance companies have their own 24/7 pet helplines. These veterinary experts are always available to answer your questions about everything from urgent care to behavioral issues. Pet insurances generally don’t want you to be confused or intimidated about your pet care or how your insurance works. However, those helplines are generally for the company’s customers only so make sure your family or friends are also with the company before recommending the helpline to them.
However, compared to your medical insurance, pet insurance is pretty easy. Pretty much all you do is get your pet treated and file the claim. Some companies ask for the records upfront so when signing up for yours, it’s a good idea to ask if they do. If they do, be sure to have the record ready when you file the claim. Then there’s the deposit. Though some companies process quicker than others.